News

One Killed, Seven Injured on the Set of Gregg Allman Biopic

One woman has been killed and seven other people have been injured on the set of the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider.WSAVreports that the incident took place in Wayne County, GA yesterday afternoon, when a CSX train struck the crew as they were filming on the tracks.

According to Variety, the accident took place after the crew had placed a bed on a railroad trestle in order to film a dream sequence. The team expected two trains to cross the bridge, but a third arrived unexpectedly. The film’s director, Randall Miller, and a number of crew members then had less than a minute to get off the bridge, which was not enough time. A female camera assistant was struck and killed by the train, while the others were injured by debris from the bed. Miller, who had been attempting to remove the bed, fell on to the tracks as the train arrived but was pulled off by a still photographer.

CSX Corporation, the company that operates the train, released a statement on the accident that reads:

CSX is deeply saddened by a tragedy that occurred late today on a CSX rail bridge in Doctortown, GA and is cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate. CSX personnel are working with first responders to meet the needs of those injured. The train was en route from Memphis to Savannah when the incident occurred.

A publicist for the film has also released a statement, which reads:

All of us on the production team are devastated by the tragic accident that happened today. Our thoughts are prayers are with the family of our crew member.

The names of the victims have not yet been released.

As previously reported, Midnight Rider is based on Gregg Allman’s autobography My Cross To Bear. Actor William Hurt will play Allman in the film, while All American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter will play a younger version of the famed musician and songwriter.

UPDATE:

The Associated Press is reporting that Wayne County officials have said that the crew had permission to film on the private property next to the train tracks, but they did not have permission to film on the tracks.

Comments

There are 16 comments associated with this post

derpa February 21, 2014, 11:46:56

that’s just absolutely terrible. hopefully it’s not an omen for the rest of the production/film, but what a terrible way to start.

Clive Bigsby February 21, 2014, 12:11:24

Wow, this is a tragedy. Why did the crew not know that there was a 3rd train coming? Why wasn’t there more communication between the crew and the train station?

Otto February 21, 2014, 12:18:47

“...The train was en route from Memphis to Savannah”
How fitting. Savannah was the name Shannon Michelle Wilsey took when she went into porn after having been molested by Greg Allman for years.
My condolences to the film crew. The train was meant for Gregg, but he isn’t man enough to atone for his sins. he just whines about them in his book title.

Valarie February 21, 2014, 12:26:34

In a word…tragic…
So sad to hear.

jamesdinct February 21, 2014, 13:31:34

Jesus, tragedy seems to follow some of the great musicians from ABB’s era. Maybe they all signed a deal with the devil back in the 60’s n got inspiration and fiery musical brilliance in return for the grim reaper eternally being on their trails.
RIP to the woman who lost her life. I wonder if filming will even continue after that, it would be understandable if they cut that scene at the very least. I cannot see them all going back to that location and filming after this.

joe February 21, 2014, 15:20:35

Warren and D.Trucks already jumped ship, maybe they had premonitions.

tellsemlikeismellsem!!!!!!! February 21, 2014, 15:46:48

Gregg’s karma for being a snitch and dating a girl in high school that later became a drug addled pornstar named savannah…. whoop dee doo…. still love me some allman brothers

nootis February 21, 2014, 16:48:00

@Otto-I am not condoning the fact that Gregg Allman dated her while she was still in High School (they were dating and apparently she toured with him for a few years), however she was reportedly molested as a young girl prior to meeting G.A. Molested is generally used for unconsentual sexual contact, and I would have to guess that her actions with G.A. were consentual!

Seth Warner February 21, 2014, 19:58:11

Sadly most of these posts don’t just mention how a tragic accident caused a young woman her life.

penny February 21, 2014, 17:49:34

wow blessings to everyone. Try not to point fingers and blame. god works in mysterious ways that are always being questioned. Prayers from me to you!

jeff February 21, 2014, 17:58:22

Nootis:
As she was below the age of consent, it was in fact non consentual and …. molestation!

Legal Larry February 22, 2014, 09:30:51

The legal age of consent varies by state, some as young as 16 the age Shannon Michelle Wilsey began her realtionship with Gregg Allman. Since she toured with him which surely crossed state lines where the age of consent was higher than 16 is where the illegality came in. Doubt if she is being portrayed in the film.

ms February 25, 2014, 09:43:18

I didn’t read his book did he even mention this girl savannha w in his book?

mms February 25, 2014, 09:46:49

Just because she was molested witch is tragic in itself, why didn’t someone help her why would rocksinger even consider taking her on the road or anything for that matter, sounds twisted to me

Joshua Katt February 25, 2014, 16:36:45

Sad this happened just because a “dream sequence” had to be filmed, a made up one for sure. Who remembers dreams after the next day?

kel March 2, 2014, 22:40:10

you don’t have to sign a deal with the devil , it is your actions, if you are willing to do what ever it takes to have fame and fortune, is enough.. we all have a day when we will answer for our deeds done, I feel so sorry for this young girl that lost her life on the movie set, you have to admit all the creepy things that have happened around this allman band, are to creepy,